The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-03-03

rectoress; land this naughty truant
must not remain away longer" smil-
ing sweetly on Lillian.
the young lady, plying her needle vig-
orously.
You must not quite forget my
love. that you are my guest, said her
aunt. with 4 certain amount of dignity
and a tone that implied reproof. =
Lillian understood it and colored
deeply. 's'-.
Il shall be delighted to dine" inter-
posed Mrs Grey, hastily; land you
must not blame me for monopolizing
so much of Lilian's time" r
Il do not blame any one." returned
Mrs. Leslie. naively; "but hope to
see you both at dinner Tonight
So, as Miss Lillian had no desire to
offend her aunt she overcame her re-
pugnance to meeting Mr.. West, and,
20 that gentlcman's great delight. he
had the pleasure of taking her to dim
ner that Same evening. Two Or three
neighbors had been inv ted But, al.
though Charlie had an immense fund
Of small talk and was reputed excel
lent company; he failed altogether in
inspiring any interest in his fair neigh:
Dor. She appeared, as she was, per-
fectly uncomfor table; and only respond:
ell to his sallies by monosvllables.
1t was glorious moonlight night;
and after dinner some of the young
people went out into the gardens.
Charlie watched his opportunity and
pounced on Lillian. keeping her engage:
ed in conversation until they were
separated some little distance from the
others. Then he said suddenly, and
without slight futter ut his heart:
"Why will you not speak to me?
Surely it is not my fault that such q
stupid little accident should have &C.
CURED. Why need you bear malice
because was put in the room that
your brother had been occupying?'
In the moonlight he could sec the
swift crimson racing through her fair
skin.
u shall never, never get over it!'
she said, putting up her hands to cover
the flames that were burning her face.
What can you have thought of me?
lift anyone were to know it should
never hold up my head again.
Il hope you think am gentle
man," cried Charlie, Indignantly. Il
suppose you don't think one word
would ever pass my lips on the sub
ject?"
win you swear it?'' said the dis.
comtited maiden.
And he swore by all his goods. AT
ter that she became more friendly.
He had up to this time entertained a
rooted aversion to matrimony-even
now he could not quite make up his
mind to propose to Lillian, but thought
! he would wait and see how he felt. He
was delighted to find that she lived in
London, and struck up a tremendous
friendship with her brother, whom he
babe to dinner and many other enter.
tainments. Every day after he was
parted from Lillian he felt worse and
| worse; he began even to think that il
was the best thing in the world for a
| young man to settle down, and that the
constant presence of a domestic angel
| must make Heaven OF earth.
| So when Lillian returned to London,
Charlie, aided and abetted by his name
sake, contrived to see 4 great deal of
her. He was invited to dine at her moth
er's house, and one evening, when he
had inveigled her into the charming
conservatory that led out of the draw
! ing-roOm, he. in the midst of pretend.
ing to admire flower, turned suddenly
to her. and in voice that was little
unsteady, exclaimed:
20, Lillian, can't you see how awfully
in love l am with you?"
Lillian looked down. She made nc
response to his words or to the pressure
| of the hand which seized hers.
Don't you care little for me, dar.
ling?" he asked.
Lillian turned away her head.
''You have quite forgiven me TO,
what happened at the court, haven't
you?" he pleaded, maladroitly,
She dragged her hand from his and
turned pair of flashing eyes upon
him. If you dare remind me-''she
began.
mo, won't, I WON'T" he interrupt
ed her. "But, don't you see, darln g.
and just the least twinkle of mis-
chievousncss came into his blue eyes
If you feel so dreadfully bad about it,
it would be all put quite straight by
your marrying me. Then you MAY
throw any number of wet sponges al
me without any qualms of conscience
afterward."
This was too much. Lillian tore her.
self from him and rushed into thu
drawing room. He followed her
Mercifully for him, no one else wa.
there.
Forgive me, darling, and say thai
you do care little for me- he pleaded
taking her hand for the third time.
IL will think about it, she muir
INJURED.
Think now." he said kissing hel
whether she woule or no.
And ultimately she decided to make